Mbeki accused of plot against Zuma PRETORIA, South Africa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Allies of Jacob Zuma, new leader of South Africa's African National Congress, accuse President Thabo Mbeki of orchestrating Zuma's corruption indictment.

Security fears cancel Brussels fireworks BRUSSELS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Belgium is ringing in the New Year in quieter fashion than usual after security concerns scrubbed a planned fireworks show in Brussels.

Iran's clerics decline in power TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The fervor nearly three decades after the Islamic Revolution in Iran is dwindling as the once influential clerics falter in the face of secular politics.

Man charged with rape of illegal immigrant MILFORD, Conn., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Maryland man was charged with kidnapping and raping a young girl who was among illegal immigrants he was allegedly transporting from California to Boston.

Chicago church closes door after 129 years CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Episcopal Church of the Mediator on Chicago's southwest side closed Sunday, ending 129 years of service.

'Jew' badges sold at auction TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Tel Aviv, Israel, auction house has sold two yellow badges that were used to identify Jews during the Nazi era.

Darfur mission starts with depleted forces KHARTOUM, Sudan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The world's largest peacekeeping mission -- joint U.N. and African Union forces in Sudan's Darfur province -- kicked off with severely depleted forces.

UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Rep: Kidman not pregnant ... Rowling: 8th Potter book a possibility ... Huckabee to be guest on 'Tonight Show' ... Miley: Nothing wrong with those photos ... News from United Press International.

Move afoot to declare unborn as people DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 20-year-old anti-abortion activist called for a November 2008 ballot question that would declare the unborn as people under Colorado law.

FBI has 'reignited' Cooper hijacking case PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The FBI is resurrecting the mysterious case of D.B. Cooper, who 36 years ago hijacked a plane and parachuted near Portland, Ore., with $200,000 in stolen loot.

Australia rings in New Year with heat SYDNEY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Hundreds of thousands of Australians braved the sweltering heat to attend New Year's festivities around the country.

Miley: Nothing wrong with those photos NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. pop singer and TV star Miley Cyrus says there is "nothing wrong" with photos showing her sharing a piece of candy mouth-to-mouth with a female friend.

San Francisco healthcare plan proceeds SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- San Francisco planned to launch health services for the uninsured Wednesday, despite a federal court ruling that strikes down part of the plan.

Health author to spend 2008 touring WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Health author Jordan Rubin said he planned to hit the road during 2008, crisscrossing the United States to combat fat.

Chinese president calls for world peace BEIJING, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- President Hu Jintao said Monday China will stick to peaceful means under its policy of one country-two systems to reunify Taiwan.

Wealthy Chicago charity patron dies CASEY KEY, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Charity and arts patron Rhoda Pritzker, a member of one of Chicago's wealthiest families, died at age 93 at her winter home in Florida.

Skier survives avalanche -- twice ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An Alaskan skier escaped an avalanche with only a compound leg fracture despite being swept 1,500 feet down a mountainside.

3 drug firms allegedly paid Iraq bribes LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- British fraud investigators have requested data from three big drug companies that allegedly paid bribes for Iraqi contracts during Saddam Hussein's reign.

Bush New Year's message bullish on economy CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush wished the United States a Happy New Year Monday, reassuring Americans that the U.S. economy remained vibrant heading into 2008.

Gay service causes Anglican flap LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An Anglican communion service for gay clergy members was apparently performed in Britain without the knowledge of top church officials.

Fitness should be routine, not resolution ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The secret to keeping to an exercise plan throughout the year is for fitness to become a routine rather than just another resolution, a U.S. expert advised.

Turkey rolls up militant group ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Turkish authorities have been moving against a militant group believed to be connected to al-Qaida and a deadly 2003 bombing spree.

Parcells fires Dolphins general manager MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Miami Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller was fired Monday, the first move by new team Vice President Bill Parcells.

Subsidy helps keep small airports on radar WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 30-year-old U.S. government subsidy program that helps provide commercial air service to smaller communities grows despite criticism in Washington.

Lawyer says Bhutto autopsy prevented ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The police chief of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, did not permit an autopsy on slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a lawyer said Monday.

41 percent of road deaths alcohol-related DETROIT, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Michigan Food and Beverage Association reminded party-goers about 18,000 people died in U.S. alcohol-related crashes in 2006 -- so don't drink and drive.

UPI NewsTrack Business WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks trend down at midday ... Home sales rise slightly in November ... Champagne prices to bubble up in '08 ... Trading flat in Aussie shares ... News from United Press International.

Scholars brew up ancient Irish beer GALWAY, Ireland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An ancient site in Ireland is believed to have once been a brewery and two archaeologists tried to prove the theory by using it to brew up a batch of ale.

Israel fears new al-Qaida attack JERUSALEM, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Israeli security officials said they have intelligence to suggest al-Qaida cells infiltrated Turkey and plan to target Israeli and U.S. interests in the region.

UPI NewsTrack TopNews WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- News from United Press International, around the world around the clock ...

Billy Connolly in car accident, uninjured BALLATER, Scotland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Scottish actor and comedian Billy Connolly reportedly escaped injury when he was involved in a single-vehicle crash on the A939 near Ballater.

Cancer-fighting agent found in beer MUNICH, Germany, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A key ingredient of beer may contain a cancer-fighting substance, a German study indicated.

Al-Aqsa allegdly wants to 'eliminate' PM RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A leaflet allegedly from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades called for the assassination of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayad, a report said Monday.

Rowling: 8th Potter book a possibility LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- British novelist J.K. Rowling said she hasn't completely ruled out writing another book about the magical world she created in her Harry Potter series.

Poland to send more troops to Afghanistan WARSAW, Poland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Poland's defense minister, Bogdan Klich, said he will dispatch another 400 troops to Afghanistan in 2008.

Bloomberg presidential run speculated NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg appears to be laying the groundwork for an independent presidential bid.

Specter, Kennedy visit Syria on peace trip DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U. S. Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy visited Damascus to urge Syria to mend fences with Israel.

U.S. Democrats' campaign tactics vary DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The tone of Democratic presidential contenders' campaign events range from regal to rock star in the final week before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses.

Swedish forces not ready for deployment STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 2,800-soldier Swedish-led force won't be ready for deployment Tuesday to global hot spots, including Africa, as planned because of several setbacks.

U.S. Air Force tests synthetic fuel blend WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force tested the use of a domestically supplied synthetic fuel blend in its jet engines at nearly half the cost of crude oil.

New Year's nosh can make latecomers sick DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Visiting the New Year's buffet too long after it has been set out can cause bad bellyaches, a U.S. clinical nutritionist warns.

Bhutto husband says wife shot ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Benazir Bhutto's husband, rejecting the Pakistani government's claim the former prime minister died of a fractured skull, insisted she was shot.

Mixed view on France's EU presidency BRUSSELS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- France's tenure as president of the European Union beginning July 1 is being viewed as Paris' return to the center stage of European politics.

Harkleroad takes New Zealand upset win AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Ashley Harkleroad routed eighth-seeded Emilie Loit Monday in first-round play of the $145,000 ASB Classic tennis tournament in New Zealand.

Man proud of personal garbage collection BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A California man who saved every piece of trash he generated in the last 12 months said he's proud of his bin-filled home, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Home sales rise slightly in November WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Existing-home sales rose slightly in November, indicating the U.S. housing market is stabilizing slightly, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.

Bulgaria police seize 132 pounds of heroin SOFIA, Bulgaria, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Bulgarian police seized 132 pounds of heroin and arrested four people, one a former customs official, a prosecutor said.

Rep: Kidman not pregnant SYDNEY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A representative for Nicole Kidman, disputing some media reports, said the Australian actress isn't pregnant.

Safina takes first-round hard-court win GOLD COAST, Australia, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Dinara Safina opened defense of her Australian Women's Hardcourts title by rallying Monday for a three-set victory.

Prison systems breeding radical Islam RABAT, Morocco, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Preferential treatment for detained militants in Moroccan prisons highlights the influence the various jihadi movements have over authorities.